Entrepreneur expands product offerings and opens Marshall’s boutique

People say you can’t go home now, but don’t tell Nikki Saini that.

Raised in McCandless, her residence extended 10,000 miles to her husband Harvey’s hometown of Melbourne, Australia.

They now live in nearby Franklin Park, where Nicky runs a business with a name inspired by The Land Down Under.

Despite opening during the COVID-19 pandemic, Koala Coffee and Tea House is thriving in its location on busy West Ingomar Road, prompting Nicky to add another dimension. I did.: Coreabtic.

In the summer, she offered a “pop-up” selection of clothing and accessories because “that’s my true love.” It was also a success and she decided to make the boutique permanent on her third floor of her own building.

“If you’re going to go get coffee, you should go upstairs and look something up,” she said. “That’s when I decided I needed more space.”

She plans to open April 12 on Wexford Bain Road in Marshall, about a half-mile west of the Pine Township border, in a full-fledged boutique that spans more than 3,000 square feet and spans two floors. It’s spacious enough that you’ll have plenty of it.

As the space expands, in addition to the fashion line, home goods and children’s clothing will also be added.

“We’re getting feedback that there’s no cute place to buy children’s clothes,” Nikki said, referring to a defunct store where her teenage son and daughter were young.

For women, items include Kendra Scott jewelry, Cut from the Cross denimwear, HOBO handbags and wallets, and Judy Blue jeans.

And from Australia comes FRANKIE4 Footwear. This product was designed by a female podiatrist with the goal of “reducing, curing, and preventing foot pain for more women.”

While the new location won’t serve coffee, the original Koala continues to offer a wide selection of drinks, drawing on the cafe culture of Harvey’s hometown.

“We loved it in Melbourne,” his wife said. “We all go out for coffee. That happens a lot. And we usually drink a ‘flat white.’ This is basically a thicker version of a latte without the extra foam.

Harvey missed those drinks, so he ordered Koala Coffee & Co. along with treats from local businesses like Sweet Bee Sweet Shop in Richland and Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream in Homestead. It’s on the tea house menu.

Nicky emphasizes the importance of providing “clean” foods without preservatives, with many of the products being safe for people with sensitivities to dairy, gluten, nuts and other ingredients. can.

“The coffee shop has things for people with allergies to enjoy,” she said.

A graduate of North Allegheny High School and the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Business Administration, Nikki was accepted into the management program at Lazarus, a now-defunct department store chain, after completing her studies.

She then moved to Maryland, where she met Harvey and eventually settled in Melbourne for three years to be closer to his family.

“It’s definitely a different culture. They’re more laid-back and family-oriented,” she observed. “When we lived there, they didn’t expect you to work on the weekends, you didn’t expect them to work at night.”

In Australia, located in the southern hemisphere, summer begins in December.

“Christmas never felt like Christmas,” Nikki said. “Santa Claus was wearing pants and having a Christmas barbecue.” “The Christmas lights are on, too, but it doesn’t get dark until 9:30 or 10 o’clock. So, unlike here, it gets dark at 5 o’clock.” You can enjoy the illuminations.”

Back in the States, she celebrates Harvey Country with an Aussie Food Fest every three months in Koala. The next event is scheduled for May 3-5 and will feature dishes such as palm-sized meat pies, Australian chocolate and savory sausage rolls wrapped in puff pastry.

In the meantime, the boutique will continue to operate within the coffee and tea house, while a larger version will open in the school district that Nikki Saini then and still calls home.